Kiwi influx continues as Super Netball winner retires

Australia has continued to give its international rivals a leg up with Kiwi attacker Georgia Heffernan signing with Super Netball's Sunshine Coast Lightning.

The Diamonds were made to pay for the inclusion of a plethora of international stars into the premier domestic competition, as they collected a bronze medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, their worst-ever result.

It followed a gut-wrenching 46-45 loss to Jamaica in the semi-final, which featured Super Netball talent such as defenders Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, along with sharpshooter Romelda Aiken-George.

The Jamaicans did, however, fall short to New Zealand in the gold-medal match, which had five Super Netball athletes part of the 12-player squad.

Now another Silver Fern, Heffernan, will be part of the Australian league until the end of 2028, and it comes ahead of next year's World Cup in Sydney.

"To be joining forces with my Silver Ferns captain Karin (Burger) and New Zealand netball legend Laura Langman is something I'm looking forward to," Heffernan said in a statement.

"I can't wait to get over to the Sunshine Coast, link up with all my new teammates and get to work ahead of the 2027 season."

Heffernan, who joins sister Kate in the competition, was a star in the ANZ Championship in New Zealand, but reports have emerged the future of the league is uncertain as it struggles to find a broadcaster.

Elsewhere, NSW Swifts midcourter Maddy Proud has retired from the game after a glittering tenure which included captaining two premierships and donning Diamonds colours.

She returned in 2026 after giving birth to her first child, and the 32-year-old played a key part in the Swifts' season.

"In my time at the Swifts I have had some special moments. I got to win premierships, I met my fiancé and, most importantly, I became a mum," Proud said.

"A career in professional sport only lasts for a relatively short period of time. I have been lucky enough to be part of three grand final campaigns and tasted success in two of them."

The player movements come as Super Netball's signing window is in full tilt following all of the league's players going off-contract because of the collective bargaining agreement.

One team that is looking to boost their roster is the Sydney Sirens after they unveiled their official rebrand from the Giants following the acquisition of the club by the Sports Entertainment Group.